Controller.



A. P. RGGWELL.

CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. '7, 1906.

962,253, v Patanted June 21,1910.

4 mms-SHEET 1.

.IN1/EN TOR.

ATTORN-EK v A. F. ROCKWIELL.

CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 7, 190e.

962,253, Patented Jun@ 21, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

IN VEN T OR.

t" BY mi? 1 ATToRNE A. F. ROCKWELL.

CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED MMM, 190e.

962,253. Patented June 21, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

figg.

` v AN'ORNEX UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEFIoE.-

ALBERT F. ROCKWELL, OF BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT, .ASSIGNOR TO THE NEW DEPARTURE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CON- N ECTICUT.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT F. RocKwELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bristol, county of Hartford, Stateof Connecticut, .have invented a certain new and useful Controller, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

lThis invention relates to a controller for governing the supply of fluid from a common source of supply to a number of receiving units.

The invention is illustrated as being appliedto a plurality of explosion motor cylinders, and so connected with the explosion chambers thereof, that the explosive fuel, such as gas, may be permitted to enter said cylinders, or it may be cut off as desired...

Among the various objects of my invention is the provision of ineans whereby a single controller may be used for cutting olf or permitting the introduction of an eX- plosive fluid into any number of a battery of cylinders, the Huid to be supplied from a common source ofsupply.

' cut olf.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby the Huid may be throttled.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide means whereby a spark-plug in each cylinder will be thrown into electrical circuit simultaneously with, or at about the same time as the introduction of the fuel into `the explosion cylinder.

' Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby the spark-plug will be cut out of circuit when the fuel supply is vAnother object of the invention is the provision of means whereby two sets or batteries of lcylinders may be caused to iinshaft, or one battery may be run to the exclusion of the other. l Another object ofthe invention is to provide means whereb two magnetoslmay be used, one for each battery, the construction of the controller being such that when onebattery is cut out,

the magneto com no thereto Will be thrown out of operation,

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed March 7, 1906.

' motor, and

l embodiment of my Fig. l; Fig. 7 is a top plan View y illustrated as being Patented June 21, 1910. Serial No. 304,763.

vention will be specifically set forth here-` inafter, it being understood that chan es in form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of this invention or sacriicing any of the advantages thereof.

In the preferred form of my invention, I have illustrated it as being applied to a motor vehicle wherein a brake is utilized for stopping the vehicle `after the supply is cut olf 'from all of the cylinders of the I have also shown provision for permitting the brake to be applied when the supply is cnt off from all of the cylin ders, and for releasing the brake from contact with the part to be braked as soon as fuel is introduced into the motor.

While the controller may be used for various purposes, I prefer to employ it in connection .with the drive mechanism or motor of a motor vehicle, and I have, therefore, illustrated it as co erating therewith.

In the drawings il ustrating the preferred invention: Figure 1 is a vertical, longitudinal, sectional view through a controller constructed in accord# ance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view' on the line`2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a sectional View on the line 3 of Fig. l; Fig. 4 is a sectional View on the linet of Fi l Fig. 5 is a sectional view on `the line 5 o Fig. l; Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of of the controller; and Fig. 8 is a diagrammatical View of a motor applied to the runninggear of a motor vehicle, the controller being connected therewith, and in communicationwith a gas supply, as well as with an air pressure forcontrolling `the second magneto and the brake, these latter elements being also shown in diagram.

The invention is illustrated as compris ing a casing having a sectional plug therein consisting oftwo parts. The valve casing is ,designated by the reference numeral 1. The plug "member 2 is for controlling the gas supply, and the 'plug member 3 isfor controlling afluid pressure, preferably air.

l source ot' supply 9.

lower plugl member 3 and it loosely in the sockets la3 f5A and Ga in the upper plug member 2. rlhe lower plugl` member 8 is preferably inthe form oi a 'truncated cone, having` a central aperture Z' in communication with the supply pipe S, Which supply pipe is also 1n communication with a fuel tanlr or other Ilhe plug,` member 2 is positioned above the member 3 and is illustrated as comprising dislr'lt having dcpending,` annular flange 1l to 'form a gas chamber l2 With which the aperture Z communicates. The lange ll is arranged at right angles to the dish to permit of a. longitudinal adjustment or' the plug meinber as Will be hereinafter explained. Gommunicating` with the casing l, and adjacent to the plug member 2 are a number of outlet ports, equal in number to the number of cylinders to be supplied with gas. ln the present instance7 l have illustrated the casing` as being constructed'vv'ith eight ports, and these l have designated as a, ZJ., c, di c fg and It respective/lv. These ports may communicate with the gas chamber 12 in the casing through the ports 13 in the bange l1. For the purpose of strengthening the flange il, andy furthermore to malte clear hou the ports c' to h are permitted to com-A municate with the gas Chambon have illus trated a number ot' openings i3 correspond ing to the number of outlet ports in the casing. lt is obvious7 however, that instead of having` a plurality of openings 18 a single slot may be cut in the flange ll of suilicient length to take in the number of'ports. The cap piece 'lll on the controller may he secured to the flange by any suitable means, and interposed between the cap piece or top bland the upper plug member SZ is a spring 1 55 which. Will have a tendency to cause the plug` member 2 to maintain its 'proper position Within the shell.

rlhe plug member 2 is carried by a stein 1 6 which is rigid therewith and 'which proliects through the 'top of 'the casing and through the sleeve 17 on the centrc""ie or handle 18.

The sleeve l? nrogieots tnrough the top of the casing and ieheld rotatably secured thereto by a eo stem 16 is provided with longitud nal ribs or splines 2G. 'which t in the grooves in me sleeve l? and the outerend of said stem is threaded which adpistnig nut y to inf-- l l i l l part lo Lagitudinal movement to the plug l y so as to increase or decrease the size o i openings betiv'een the outlet ports cz to /b an@ "he gas chamber l2. 'iny longi ement which may be imparted n .nembcr 2 will not be imparted tot-he plug 'einher 3, because the plug.; member 3 is he d against any longitudinal movement by a spring` annulus 2.3 rigidly fastened to shoulder Z/l Within the valve shell, and which bears against one end oit said plug member 3.

rlie plug member 3 is provided with a pressure chamber or receiving chamber 25. which is always under pressure and which receives its pressure from a suitable source oilsupply, :tor example a tank or reservoir ZG which is in communication with said chai ber as by a tube 2i. rihe chamber 255 inf communication with an annular groove through. the medium or ,the ports 91) l 80. New as this groove is at all times in communication with the pipe 27 through the port 3l in the casing7 it is obvious that pressure will be supplied to the chamber 25 irrespective of the direct' in in which the plus.; member 3 is turned. rlhis chamber 25 supA plies pressure tocertain fluid conductors tor operating certain parts in connection with the vehicle motor, such for example, as starting the second magneto and for applying` the brake.

For controlling the magneto the plug; 3 is constructed as shown in plan in 23, the pressure side being indicated at 32, and

tudinal m to the plu.

shov/n as approximately semi cir ular groove in the periphery oi the plug, which groove is in communication with the chainber 25 through a port The opposite groove which is in the same horizontal plane -with the groove 32 is the exhaust side, and either the groove 32 or the groove 34; may be brought into communication 'with the port 85 iu he valve shell which is a part of the pipe for controlling the magneto clutch shifter. Therefore, if the groove 32 is caused to register with the port 35 pressure Will be admitted into the pipe 3G5 but if the groove Sil is permitted to register with the port 35 the pressure in the tube 3G Will be permitted to exhaust through the longitudinal port 37 in the plug member 3 thence into the circumferential groove 38 and then out through the exhaust port 39 in the valve shell, which port has a branch 39 in comport 42 leads into theexhaust port;\.37, which port- 42 may also register Witthe branch 43 in communica-tion with the brake pipe 44. The groove 40 receives its pressure from the pressure chamber 25 through the port 45. -Vlien thegroove 40 is in communication with the port 43, pressure will be supplied to the pipe 44, but when the port 42 is Ain communication with the port 43 the pres- 'sure will be permitted to exhaust through the pipe 37 into the upper groove 38 and thence through the exhaust port 39. The pipes which lead from the valve casing to the various cylinders are lettered to correspond with the outlet portsfor the gas, except that the letters as applied to the pipes 'are primed; thus the port a in the valve casing communicates with the pipe a, the po-rt b with the pipe b, and so on up to L.

The cylinders to which gas is supplied are lettered according to the'same alphabetical arrangement, although capital letters are applied to the cylinders, so that the port a communicates with the cylinder A through the pipe a', the port b communicates with the cylinder B through the pipe Z1 continui'ng up to k.

It is to be understood that the cylinders A to H are provided with the necessary appurtenances to constitute an explosion motor. f

The pistons in the cylinders are connected in a suitable manner to the crank-shaft S which is the drive shaft of the motor, and from which motion is imparted to the driver i and thence to the Idriven member S2 which drives the axle S3. The primary magneto 46 carried by the frame 47 may have motion imparted thereto by a drive rod 48.

As IV will ordinarily use not more than four of the cylinders, a single magneto capable of supplying sufficient ignition to four of the cylinders will sutlice for ordinary work.;A however, I have provided an auxiliary inagneto, called the second magneto, and' designatedby the reference numeral 49. This second magneto will ordinarily be inoperative unless five or more cylinders are employed for generating power. In the event thatI five or more cylinders are employed,

Ythe magneto 49 will be thrown into operation through the medium of a clutch shifter 50, which may operate the clutch 5l so as to receive motion through the rod 48 and the gear element 52 in an obvious manner. This shifter 50 will ordinarily be held in position to prevent the clutch 51 from being thrown' into engagement with the clutch face on the element 52, but when it is desired to throw said clutch into engagement with the clutch face on the-element 52, this can be accomplished by the introduction of air into the cylinder 53 causing pressure to overcome the spring 54 and thereby apply the clutch. The pressure will be supplied through the pipe 36l which is 1nv colnmunication with the port 35, and the groove 32 is so relatively positioned that pressure will not be permitted to enter the pipe 36 until gas has been admitted into the Therefore, it will be seen that this clutch cannot be operated until the fifth cylinder is being supplied with gas. The pressure will remain, however, while any of the cylinders E, F, G and H is being used, but as soon as these four cylinders are cut out of operation, the groove 34 will be in register with the pipe 36 through the pipe 35, permitting the air to exhaust through the port 37, in which event the spring 54 will be suiticient to throw the clutch outl of engagement with its complementary clutch member. Likewise, the brake is operated. This brake is designated by the numeral 55 and is capable of having a normal tendency to be applied, but by means of pressure it is held out ofs engagementwith the part to be braked, while the vehicle is moving.` y

In order to show a convenient form of brake, I have illustrated it as comprising the elbow lever 56 having a brakeshoe 57 connected thereto, the elbow lever 56 being operated by a piston 58 in the cylinder 59. The spring 60 will have a normal tendenc to force the piston 58 from left to right (see Fig. 8*) and thereby apply the brakeshoe 57. The ports in the controller, however, are so arrangedthat during the Whole time that the motor is operating, or any gas is being supplied to any motor cylinder this brake will be held ott' or unapplied. This is done by admit-ting pressure into the brake cylinder 59 against the face of the piston 58 opposite to the face against which the spring bears, and this pressure is admitted into the pipe 44 having communication with the groove 4()v through the medium of the por/t 43. In view of the fact that the groove40 is in the form of almost a complete circle it is apparent that pressure will be supplied in the pipe 44 during almost the complete revolution of the plug 3. The only time that communication will not be had with the pipe 44 is during the time that all of the ports a to /L are closed, and communication with the magneto pipe 36 is closed, it being obvious that at this time it might be desirable to apply the brake.

As has been heretofore saidone of the objects of this invention is to provide means whereby as the gasfsupply is admitted to each succeeding4 cylinder, the spark` plug in that particular cylinder will be thrown into circuit with a suitable sourceof generation, as for example, the magneto, and as the gas supply is cut off from .each succeeding cylinder, the spark plug will be thrown out of circuit. l will now proceed to describe a form of accomplishing this through the medium of the controller.

The inagnetos 46 and 49 are cut into a single conductor 6l which conductor sup- Dlies current to a rotatable circuit maker port e of the valve casing..

i being held and breaker 62 a branch conductor being in circuit with the conductor 6l and a Contact 63 which always bears against the maker and breaker 62. The branch conductor is designated by the reference numeral 64 and is insulated from the valve casing by' suitable insulation 65. The maker and bre-alter 62 is always insulated Nfrom any handled parts by an insulation 66, and its periphery is partly insulated as shown at 6'?. Carried by the top of the shell, but insulated therefrom, are a plurality of contacts 58, equal in number to the number of spari; plugs or cylinders. in the present instance, l have illustrated eight of these contacts to corre spond to the eight cylinders and eight supply ports heretofore described. Leading from each contact 68, 1s a conductor 63a connected to the several spark plugs. New it will be seen that when the controller handle is at its safety orstop position, that is to say when all the gas is cut oil, t contacts 68 will be out of circuit, there being no current supplied thereto. Suppose, how ever, it is desired to start the motor, the controller handle will be moved around to cause the port a to be opened to admit gas into the cylinder A. At the saine time that this is bein done the lower plug 3 having been carrie along with the other plug 2 will admit pressure into the pipe le and taire oit the brake.

The motor shaft having been cranked or the ordinary rotation being otherwise provided, the operation of the motor will begin., because the turning of the handle to admit gas into the lrst cylinder will have been effective in rotating the maker and breaker 62, so that a nolrinsulated part will come into contact with the first contact G8, supplying the spark to the sparlr plug of the cylinder A. When it is desired to 'throw the second cylinder into operation the handle is moved to point 2 immediately after start, causing b to supplyl gas to the pipe Zr' and thence to the-cylinder B. This operation will throw the second contact 68 into circuit. The third and fourth cylinders will be plied in the same way, that is, for each cyl inder that is thrown in there will be a contact thrown into circuit, and it should be borne in mind that all this time the brake is oil. Now when it is desired to throw the fifth cylinder in, the handle is moved around. to the lifth point and the groove 32 is caused to communicate with the pipe 3G through the port 35, causing the pressure to exerted against the piston in the cylinder 53 to throw the second magneto into operation and retain it there during the entire time that more than four cylinders are contributing to the motivel ower of the motor. When -the fifth cylin er is being supplied with gas the fth contact 68 is thrown into circuit, the second magneto is ESS operating, the and this condition will exist so long as the cylinders l), F, G, and H are operated in conjunction 'with the cylinders A., B, Grand D. As soon as the controller is reversed to cut out the group comprising the cylinders E, l?, G and H, that-is to say, just as soon as the gas ceases to be .supplied to the cylinder E (it being understood that lll 'would be the cylinder of thisgroup to be out out) the groove 32 will he out of communication. with the pipe 3G. and 'the pressure in the i will he permitted to exhaust through il n" 3"? around the groove and thence through the exhaust port 39. Pressure being relieved within the cylinder 53, the spring 5e will be etiective in throwing the clutch member 5l out of engagement with its complementary member.

Suppose during any of the time that one or more of the cylinders are being supplied with gas it may be found necessary or desirable to feed the quantity of gas into the cylinder or cylinders in proportion to the amount of air to be mixed therewith prior to the explosion. This can be under the 'conn trol of the operator by controlling the head or nut 22, so as to impart a longitudinal. movement to the plug member 2, and the size of the gas openings a to z, may be regulated to compensate ihr the volume of gas passing 'therethrough after each explosion. The adjustment of the said plug member through the medium ol the nut 22, or some other suitable device, may be controlled to such an' extent that the gas can be throttled to any degree by the operation.

ln addition to the operation heretofore described, I also provide means 'for taking off the brake prior to introducing any gas 'into `the first cylinder, and also for holding chf the bralte if the cylinder H becomes the last cylinder from which gas is cut off. For example, suppose the car is to be started. vWhen the handle is inoved to free the hralre is taken off, then by moving the handle to start the lirst cylinder is supplied with gas and the remaining cylinders are in turn supplied in the manner heretofore described, until all eight cylinders are supplied. Now by a continued rotation of the valve plug members, the cylinder A will first become cut out, then. the cylinder B, C, D etc., until all oi them may be cut out except H. lf the handle is then turned so as to stop at coast gas will have been cut oil from all the cylinders and the brake will be held oil permitting the vehicle to run free, but as soon. as the handle is moved to stop the brake will be applied.

It will be apparent from the above that the cylinders' may be successively cutoii by moving the handle in either direction, and that they may be cutvin operation likewise. The spring-pressed rotatable dog G9 carried is stil being held olf, i'

- by the handle is adapted to engage therecesses in the top o the valve shell for the purpose of holding the handle in any position in which it has been adjusted, but

this holding will only be a frictional engagement, so that while `the handle will not voluntarily move out of position, it may be readily moved bythe operator.

It is obvious that the motor cannot be started unless a spark is supplied for the spark plugs. In order to avoid the annoyance w' ich might result from an unauthorized use ofthe motor, if for example, the general arrangement heretofore described was applied to a motor vehicle, I have provided means for preventing an unauthorized use of the motor by plug P between two spaced terminals of the conductor wire 61. When the operator is leaving the vehicle, this plug can be pulled out so that irrespective of any positlon of the handle 18 a circuit cannot be formed.

What I claim is:

l. The combination with a driven part, a motor therefor, and a. brake for said driven part, of a source of charge supply for said motor, a generator of charge-exploding energy for said motor, means for operating said generator to render the same active and inactive, means for operating said brake to render the same active and inactive, and a controller provided witlrmeans for controlling the supply of charge to said motor, with means for controlling the operating means for said brake and with means for controlling the operatin means for'said substantially as escribed.

2. The combination with a driven part, a motor therefor, and a fluid controlled brake for said driven plying charges to said motor, a generator for supplying charge-exploding energy to saidmotor, iuid controlledmeans for controlling said generator, a source of iiuid supply, a controller having an inlet port for receiving said iuid' and outlet ports leading respectively to the brake-controlling mechanism and the generator-controlling mechanism, anda valve in said controller controlling said ports; substantially as described.

3. The combination with a driven part, a motor therefor, means for supplying charges to said motor, and a Huid operated brakI mechanism for said driven part, of a Huid controlled generator mechanism for supplying charge exploding energy to said motor, a source of iuid supply, a controller having a port receiving said fluid and also having generator ports connected respectively with the brake mechanism and the generator mechanism, an exhaust por't from said controller, and a valve in said controller having a receiving chamber adapted to receive Huid from said inlet to said respective outlet ports', said valve inserting a removable.

part, of means for support and provided with outlets leading 'also having passages leading from said respective outlet ports to said exhaust port; substantially as described.

4. The combination with a driven part, a brake therefor, and a motor for said driven part, of a controller for said brake and said motor and movable in a given. direction from brake-applying position through a. complete cycle to again assume said brake-applying position, and means whereby movement of said controller from brake-applying position serves to release said brake, further movement of said controller in the same direction serves to render said motor active with successively increasing energy, further movement of said controller in the same direction serves to render Said motor inactive with successively decreasing energy, and further movement of said controller in the same direction serves to, apply said brake; substantially as described.

5. The combination with a driven part, a brake therefor, and amotor for said driven part, of acontroller for said brake and motor and movable inthe same direction from brake-applying position through a complete cycle to again assume brake-applying position, and m'eans whereby movement of said controller from brake-applying position serves to release said brake without rendering said motor operative with respect to said driven part, further .movement of said controller in the same direction serves to render said motor operative With, respect tosaid driven part, further movement of said controller in the same direction serves to render said motor inoperative with respect to said driven part but leaves said brake stillunapplied, and further movement of said controller in the same direction serves to apply said brake; substantially as described.

6. The combination with a motor including a plurality of batteries of cylinders, of a separate generator of charge-exploding energy for each said battery, and means Whereby the generator for a battery can be rendered inactive when its battery is inactive; substantially as described.

7. The combination with a motor including a plurality of batteries of cylinders, of means for supplying charge to cylinders of one battery to the exclusion of cylinders of another battery, a separate generator of charge-exploding energy for each of said batteries, and means whereby the said generator for a battery is rendered active when cylinders of its battery are supplied with charges and is rendered inactive when cylinders of its said battery arenot so supplied; substantially as described. y

8. The combination with a motor including a plurality of batteries of cylinders, of a generator of Vcharge-exploding energy connected-to the cylinders of oneof said batteries, a second generator ing energy connected. to a second of said batteries, actuat'ng means having operative connection with. one ot' said generators, and means for throwing said second generator into and out of operative connection with said actuating means; substantiilly as described.

9. rihe combination with. a motor including a plurality oit batteries of cylinders, or a generator or charge-exploding energy connected to the cylinders of one et said batteries, a second generator or charge-exploding energy connected to a second of said batteries, actuating means having operative connection with one or' said generators, and means for throwing said second generator into and out oi" operative connection with said ist mentioned generator; substantially as described.

10. The combination with a motor including a .plurality or batteries of cylinders, or a shaft driven thereby, a generator of charge-exploding energy connected to the cylinders of one of said batteries, operative connection between said shaft'and said generator, a second such generator connected to the cylinders of a second of said batteries,

and means for throwing said second genera-A tor into and out of operative connection with said shaft; substantially as described.

1l. The combination with a motor including a plurality oit batteries of cylinders, or a shaft driven thereby, a generator of charge-exploding energ" connected to the cylinders of one of said batteries, operative connection between said shaft and said generator, a second such generator connected to the cylinders of a second of said batteries, and a clutch between'said generators; substantially as described.

l2. The combination with a motor cyliiider, and means tor supplying charge thereto, ot a generator of charge-exploding energy connected'to said cylinder, actuating means ior said generator, means for automatically throwing said generator out of operative connection with said actuator when charge is cut ofi from said cylinder, and means for automatically throwing said generator into operative connection with said ractuator when charge is supplied to said cylinder; substantially as described.

13. The combination with a motor cylin-l der, and means for supplying charges there-I to, of a generator of charge exploding energy connected to said cylinder, actuating means for said generator, means for yieldingly holding said generator out of operative connection with said actuating means and for returning said generator to such condition when no charge is supplied to said cylinder, and means for automatically throwing said generator into operative connectioii with sa'd actuating ,means when charge is supplie zo said cylinder; substantially as described. n

le. combination with a motor cylinder, and a source of charge supply therefor, ont a generator charge-exploding energy connected to said cylinder, a driving'- element, iuid actuated shitable connection between said generator and said driving element, a source of energy for said shiftable connection, and a controller interposed b etween said source of charge supply and said cylinder and between. said source of energy and said shirtable connection andprovided .with means whereby in one position of said controller said cylinder is. supplied .with charge and said generator is operatively connected to said driving element and in another position of said controller said charge supply is cut oit from said cylinder and said fgenerator is operatively disconnected from said driving element; substantially as dcscribed.

l5. The combination with a motor cylinder, and a. source ot1 charge supply therefor,

.of a generator of charge-exploding energy connected to said cylinder, a driving elcinent, fluid actuated shiftable connection between said generator and said driving element, a source of energy for said shittablc connection, and a controller interposed b etween said source of charge supply and said cylinder and between said source of energy and said shittable connection and provided with operatively connected valves controlling respectively the said supply and the said energ for operating said shi'ftablc connection; substantially as described.

16. The combination with a motor including a plurality of batteries of cylinders, and4 means for supplying charge to said cylinders, of actuating means, a generator of charge-exploding cnerg connected to the cylinders of one of sai batteries and normally in operative connection .with said actuating means, a second generator of chargey exploding energy connected to a second battery of said cylinders and normally out. of operative connection with said actuating means, and means for operatively connecting said second generator with said actuating means when a cylinder of said second battery is supplied with charge; substantially as described.

i7. The combination with a motor comprising a plurality of cylinders, and chargeexploding means for the respective said cylinders, of a source of charge supply, a source of energy tor said charge-exploding means, and a controller havin@ an inlet for the charge, outlets for lsaid c ar e in connection with the respective said cy inders, a valve controlling said outlets and adapted to place a desired number oi them in communication with said inlet, a terminal from said source of energy, conductors for said energy and leading to the respective said charge-exploding'v means of said cylinders, a connector adapted to connect said terminal from said source of energy with said respective conductors and a.movable element to which said valve and said connector are both connected, said valve and said connector being so related to each other that when, by moves ment of said movable element, the said valve permits communication between said source of charge supply and a desired number of said cylinders, said connector also connects said terminal fromsaid source of energy with the said conductor or conductors leading to the said. charge-exploding means of the cylinder or cylinders thus supplied With charge; substantially as described.

18. The combination with an explosion motor having cylinders arranged in a plurality of batteries, of a source of electrical energy for each battery, a fuel supply for all of the cylinders, a controller for admit-- ting fuel into the several cylinders?, and means for permitting said source of energy for a battery ofvcylinders to supply current thereto only during the time that the cylinders and their pistons of the particular battery are contributing to the motive force of the motor. y

19. The combination with a motor including cylinders having spark plugs, a

driven part, and means for communicating motion from the motor to the driven part, of a magneto for supplying van electric current to the spark plugs in some of the cylinders, means for driving said magneto from the motor, a second magneto for supplying current to the spark plugs in other of said' cylinders, said second magneto being adapted to be driven through the driving means for the irst magneto, a normally applied brake for the cylinders, and a controller operative to successively permit the introduction of fuel from the source of supply to the cylinders having the spark plugs which receive their current from the first magneto, said controller being movable to a position to permit fuel to be introduced into a cylinderor cylinders, the spark plugs of which receive current from the second magneto, the operation of the controller being such that when fuel is admitted into a cylinder whose spark plug receives current from the second magneto said second magneto w1ll be thrown into operation, and the controller being also effective for releasing the brake as Soon as communication is established between any cylinder and the source of fuel supply.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT F. ROCK'WELL. Witnesses:

CHAs. TREADWAY, CHAs. R. ANDERSON. 

